Joseph Wells

1935 - 2022

Joseph Wells

February 15, 1935-March 8, 2022

DAVENPORT-Joseph R. Wells, 87, of Moline passed away Tuesday March 8, 2022 at Senior Star at Elmore Place, Davenport.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 am Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline. Visitation will be 4-6pm Friday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111-1st St A, Moline with a with a rosary recited at 3:30 pm. Private committal services will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Alleman Catholic High School or Sacred Heart Church.

Joe was born February 15, 1935 in Rock Island, the son of Eugene and Teresa (Sersig) Wells. He was a graduate of the 1953 charter class at Alleman High School, and then St. Ambrose College, Davenport.

Joe married his high school sweetheart, Pamela J. Glynn on February 11, 1956. She preceded him in death on May 22, 2015.

Joe worked at the Rock Island Arsenal as a Procuring Contracted Officer for 30 years, retiring in 1999. He led teams that procured the CEM bombs and later bomb components for both the US Air Force and US Navy.

Joe was a 67 year member of Sacred Heart Church, Moline, had been an active member of the Dad's Club at Sacred Heart School and also served as Board Member at the School. He also spent time as a Sacred Heart Dad's Club baseball coach. He was a lifelong student of American history, reading voraciously about it. He relished leading spirited discussions about current events, our government and many other life lessons at the dinner table with his children. A friend recently recounted that nothing was more important to him than his family and he loved to share anecdotes or crow about them at every opportunity.

Joe was a connoisseur of banana cream pies and later in life, baked his own that were nearly as good as Pam's.

Joe loved the game of golf and aced the 9th hole at the Arsenal Country Club as witnessed by his regular foursome that included Dick, Rick and Norm.

Survivors include his children, Beth (Ken) Harper, O'Fallon, MO, Meg (Kenny) Wiebel, Amy (Rick) Blocker, both of Davenport, Jim (Gretta) Wells, Moline, David (Sara) Wells, Bettendorf, Mike Wells, Moline and Joe (Katrina) Wells, Topeka, KS; son-in-law, John Ryan, Bettendorf; 16 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother, Robert Wells, MD, Rock Island and sisters, Jeanne (Howie) Visteen, and Joan Wells. He was preceded in death by his wife, daughter, Kathy Ryan, grandchildren, Molly and Shannon Ryan, sisters, Mary Ann Costello and Theresa Cavins, brother, John Wells and twin brother at birth, James Donald.

The family would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Senior Star and Genesis Hospice Teams for the exceptional care provided to our father.

Condolences may be left at www.RaffertyFunerals.com